Looks like the Eagles will lose Buckhalter for the year. Looks like it will be on Westbrook.

Quote:

Friday, August 20, 2004

Buckhalter tears patella tendon in right knee

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter probably will miss the season after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee in the first quarter of Philadelphia's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night.

The fourth-year pro sat out the 2002 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in minicamp. The Eagles were counting on Buckhalter and third-year pro Brian Westbrook to share the running duties after Duce Staley signed with Pittsburgh in the offseason.

Buckhalter collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain after a 2-yard gain. He left the field on a cart and X-rays revealed the torn ACL.

A fourth-round pick from Nebraska in 2001, Buckhalter had 586 yards rushing and averaged 4.5 yards a carry that season. He ran for 542 yards and eight TDs last year.

The speedy Westbrook had 613 yards rushing and seven TDs last season. But his durability is a concern because of his size -- Westbrook is listed at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds. He missed one game with an ankle injury and sat out the playoffs with a torn triceps.

Last year, Buckhalter showed flashes of his rookie form in training camp and was primed for a breakout year. But then the season started and Buckhalter ran just once in the season opener against Tampa Bay and didn't see the ball the following week against New England.

The rest of his season was just as erratic. He had 100 yards against the Giants, then followed that with a 92-yard effort at Atlanta. But he had only 73 yards combined in the next four games before running for 115 in week 14 against Dallas.

Two weeks later against San Francisco, Buckhalter was deactivated for missing a team meeting and arriving late for a walkthrough practice. He ran 33 times for 114 yards in the last three games, including playoffs.

What's worse is that the Eagles already lost their rookie RB Bruce Perry for the season just prior to Buckhalter going down. Their running back depth is very thin at the moment. They have Westbrook who had over 600 yds last season, and then two guys who haven't had an NFL carry yet I believe. Now they might be in the market for a veteran RB.

The Eagles also lost starting def end N.D. Kalu for the year with a torn ACL in practice. Also a non-contact injury. He caught his cleats in the grass. They have had 10 guys hurt since the start of camp, six of them starters, two backups from last year, and two guys who do not figure to make the team.